Friday, October 1, 2010

Who Would Jesus Bully?

My blog friend Grandmére Mimi has been keeping a posted tally of teen suicides as a result of homophobic bullying. Children being harrassed to death because they are (or are perceived to be) gay. There is no defence.

What appalls me is that there are those who would blaspheme the Name of Jesus by opposing anti-bullying programs based on a warped and twisted abuse of the idea of religious freedom.

Here is the email I have just sent to Focus on the Family:

In the name of the Living God, I admonish you to repent of your opposition to anti-bullying programs. This is not about religious freedom. This is about young men and women and little children being hounded to death by bullies.

Your opposition to anti-bullying programs is a disgrace to authentic family values and authentic Christianity.

Father Malcolm French


It is reassuring to know that there are people taking action. Talk show host Ellen Degeneres is using her celebrity to raise public awareness with a video (which I can't seem to embed). And the It Gets Better Project is speaking directly to the kids themselves.




Who would Jesus bully?

Not the tax collector nor the prostitute.

Not the Samaritan nor the leper.

Not the gay nor the lesbian.

And those who claim otherwise are doing the work of the Father of Lies.

8 comments:

Tamara said...

FoF is actually *opposing* the anti-bullying programs? That's appalling. Their saying it's not okay to be gay is bad enough (the FoF books and videos people gave us on How To Raise Boys went straight into the trash)but anything but full support of *not bullying anyone* is unacceptable in my understanding of God's plan for our lives.

Alan said...

An amazing video... and profoundly sad that the best advice we can give to these amazing children is, "tough it out because it will get better". I hope every victim of a bully gets to see this video. Thanks Malcolm.

June Butler said...

Good for you, Malcolm, for sending the email!

Terry and Dan's video is excellent. The two radiate love and joy. I hope that a good many LGTB young people watch are are encouraged.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, thank you, for your letter.
From one Christian to another, don't expect an answer from them. They are cowards that behind the Bible.
It is reprehensible how so-called Christians can spew such vitriol against their fellow man. As I stated in Candace's blog, I did not choose to be this way, God did. I'm not one to presume the mind of the Almighty, but, I know He has a purpose for me.
Thank you, once again.
God Bless, and Peace
Bernie Keefe
btkestrel777@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

To Bernie & Father French,

I found this blog through the article on bullies. God bless you both for your strong and courageous stance. Just wanted you to know I found it inspiring.

Janet

Anonymous said...

That's "whom"!

Malcolm+ said...

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

Suem said...

A meaningful post on an important issue. All bullying should be condemned.